Top rugby agent revels All Blacks coaching race mess
A leading rugby agent has shed some light on the process undertaken by New Zealand Rugby to select the next All Blacks coach and why there were so few applicants.
Esportif global director Duncan Sandlant, whose clients include Dave Rennie and Vern Cotter, was critical of the process and said a number of his clients who were asked to apply didn’t because they saw it as nothing more than a box ticking exercise by NZ Rugby.
Speaking on Will Greenwood’s Podcast, Sandlant said he didn’t agree with inviting 26 coaches to apply for the role.
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“I think that some of that process, in my view, they [NZ Rugby] didn’t get right,” Sandlant said.
“I wouldn’t agree with inviting 26 [coaches] to apply because the reality is that’s it’s such a big job that there’s less than 10 and arguably less than five in the world who could actually do that job.
“That bit was wrong and I had a number of clients who were asked to apply who didn’t because they knew that it wasn’t really anything other than box ticking.”
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Rennie and Cotter were among numerous strong candidates who refused to throw their hat into the ring for the All Blacks job, with Warren Gatland and Jamie Joseph also on that list.
Unlike New Zealand, the likes of Australia, Wales and Ireland all identified who they thought would be the best fit to coach their teams going forward early and worked hard to get their signatures. Rennie, who signed on to coach the Wallabies, was contacted by Rugby Australia months ago.
Sandlant said the New Zealand rugby landscape was a bit trickier to navigate.
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“The tricky bit for them [NZ Rugby] was they had a situation with a new CEO, who doesn’t even start until January 1 but has obviously been involved in this process,” Sandlant told Will Greenwood’s Podcast.
“They also had a situation where I don’t think the New Zealand public would have accepted them rolling in Ian Foster without having gone through a proper process.
“So, I think they were caught between a rock and a hard place and that’s not what others have done.
“If you look at Australia, which I had a fair bit to do with, and Wales, which I had a bit to do with, and Ireland. They identified their guy, did their search, they did their homework, they found their guy and they went after him.
“I don’t think New Zealand could have done that because the bloke sitting underneath [Foster] was part of their environment.”
Foster was announced as the next All Blacks head coach earlier this week on a two-year deal.
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
9 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
9 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
9 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
9 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments